Generator install - where to start

[Larry Caldwell]

The expensive part of gas or electric installation is the hole. Price the ditches and repair. Pipe and wire are cheap by comparison.

For multiple panels, there is a transfer switch that installs under the meter. If you only have one meter, it will pick up everything.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

400A main service panels are substantially more expensive than 2x200A, which may be why you don't see them as much, and it may get many folks into 3 phase which is also not common, and often an expensive addition.

When I built my shop I gave it its own 200 amp service. To stick with one meter, I planted a 400 amp panel next to the transformer, feeding 200 amps to the house and 200 amps to the shop. The 400 amp panel was not particularly expensive.

 

[Highlandr]

I did once look at buying a house that had a single 400A main, which I thought was ideal. I'm not sure why that's not more popular, but at least around here, 2x200A seems to be the much more common approach for larger homes.

When we built we went with 2x200 because one panel is everything the portable generator* will power feed and one panel is everything else which includes the detached garage/shop.

When we built I figured we'd upgrade one day to whole-house with auto-switching, but we just don't have the power outages to warrant it.

* Which plugs into a receptacle on the other end of the house, just inside the basement garage door.

 

[drumminj]

Generator Warehouse is one of the largest online store of Generators Equipment in Malaysia. We've been running a business with over 10 years' experience in selling various needs for Generators Equipment.

View attachment 4996666

Sorry, I just did a quick search for the product and picked one of the first ones with info. Electric generators direct would have been better. My apologies!

 

[ning]

My understanding is that the generator warranty will only be valid if the installation is signed off by a manufacturer-approved installer.

I've been looking at getting a 22kW Kohler for my battery-backed system (which, incidentally, would be slightly out of line-of-sight, but there's a complete system disconnect switch immediately next to the power meter, for the grid-tie solar/battery system) and a local dealer is willing to do the final sign-off for a modicum of money if I buy the system from them, and they say they can match the on-line prices.

I can't advise about the placement; for my solar I used a ground mount and dug a 500' trench and used oversized cabling to minimize voltage drop... aesthetically I'd probably go with paying more to stick it behind the house because of noise & view, depending on possible locations for noise & view of course (some people prefer their back yard view). Whatever you do, if you're trenching, put in bigger whatever than you need today, so you don't have to re-do it later if you want to add more whatever.

 

[ning]

Ok, somethings fishy here….this is a $2,400 switch. Is this link a reliable site ir something is fishy. This site lists a generac 14 kw with a 200 amp switch for $1700. Ya right, thats like a $5-6 grand product.

generator-warehouse.com is rated "Poor" with 2.4 / 5 on Trustpilot

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[grsthegreat]

My understanding is that the generator warranty will only be valid if the installation is signed off by a manufacturer-approved installer.

I've been looking at getting a 22kW Kohler for my battery-backed system (which, incidentally, would be slightly out of line-of-sight, but there's a complete system disconnect switch immediately next to the power meter, for the grid-tie solar/battery system) and a local dealer is willing to do the final sign-off for a modicum of money if I buy the system from them, and they say they can match the on-line prices.

I can't advise about the placement; for my solar I used a ground mount and dug a 500' trench and used oversized cabling to minimize voltage drop... aesthetically I'd probably go with paying more to stick it behind the house because of noise & view, depending on possible locations for noise & view of course (some people prefer their back yard view). Whatever you do, if you're trenching, put in bigger whatever than you need today, so you don't have to re-do it later if you want to add more whatever.

I dont kniw about kohler, but generac does not require a dealer to install for warranty. As long as its installed per specifications, its warranty is in force. Now, whether you can find a service tech that will warranty a unit he didnt install is another matter. I could care less who installs units i service as long as install is safe and legal. I wont service a unit thats unsafe as i dont want to be caught up in any potential lawsuit if something bad happens due to the install.

 

[Highlandr]

So, on the surface, maybe propane is the safer bet. Less usage, and likely always more reserve on-hand. Also, the propane is hidden back behind the house, where it's probably preferable to mount a generator, rather than sticking the ugly and noisy thing right in my front garden.

I think this the best idea. Generator close to the fuel source which means a short gas line run with whatever regulator the generator requires. Then your long run is direct bury wire which I think will be less prone to trouble than a gas line.

I'd still go with a commercial outfit though.